Category: People
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Memphis Connections, Israeli-Style: Federation’s Young Adult Israel Trip
“I am very excited to return to Israel as an adult. I first visited when I was 15, young and self-consumed. Now, 11 years later – years that hopefully made me wiser – I look forward to exploring the culture, history, and my own Jewish identity through new eyes,” said…
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Kayla Klazmer – A Star On and Off the Court
Among the younger donors to Memphis Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, 23-year-old Kayla Klazmer was born and raised in Jewish Memphis, and as a fifth-generation Memphian, her family ties to the community are deeply rooted. Kayla’s parents, Barbara and Scott Klazmer, encouraged her from a young age to embrace her…
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Miss Tennessee Contestant Sydney Caen Raised Awareness about Antisemitism
With the global rise in antisemitism and hate, it’s vital that people in the public eye send a clear message against Jewish discrimination. That is exactly what one young woman did while all eyes were on her. Sydney Caen, a contestant in this year’s Miss Tennessee pageant held in Memphis…
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Judy Lansky Brings Valuable Experience as a Jewish Professional to Memphis Jewish Federation as Director of Development
Memphis-born Judy Lansky joined the Memphis Jewish Federation team earlier this summer as the organization’s Director of Development, returning to the community after over a decade away. She left Memphis after high school to attend the University of Maryland before starting her career as a non-profit professional in Michigan. “After…
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The Legacy of Ronna Newburger z”l
Ronna and Hal Newburger are pictured holding The Book of Life. At Jewish Community Partners’ Annual Meeting, President and CEO Laura Linder paid tribute to past Jewish Foundation of Memphis President, Ronna Newburger, of blessed memory. “On April 14, 2008, Ronna Newburger was elected president of the Jewish Foundation of…
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Micah Unowsky: My Teen Israel Experience
Micah Unowsky, son of Keri and Dr. Daniel Unowsky, just graduated from Memphis University School (pictured left posing with friends during a visit to the Western Wall). Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemsky Endowment Fund provided him with a Teen Israel Experience grant to help offset the cost of his NFTY Jacobs…
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Jacob Shapiro: My Teen Israel Experience
Jacob Shapiro, son of Virginia Palacio and Todd Shapiro, just graduated Lausanne Collegiate School (and is pictured [right] enjoying food in Jerusalem with friends Jack Benjamin, Connor Rubin, and Anders Kennedy). Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemksy Endowment Fund provided him with a Teen Israel Experience grant to help offset the cost…
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Rhodes Hillel Student Samuel Cross Elected to Serve on Hillel International Student Cabinet
“While interviewing for the Hillel International Student Cabinet, I was asked about what my specific individual project would be upon acceptance into the group, and I responded by stating that I intended to work on outreach towards Jewish communities outside of the traditional Hillel network,” said Samuel Cross, a rising…
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Evan Schrier: My Teen Israel Experience
Evan Schrier, son of Carolyn and Adam Schrier, just graduated from Memphis University School (Pictured from left to right while on an early-morning hike to the top of Masada: Joe Hochberg, Evan Schrier, Alex Weinstein, Ryan Kertzner). Memphis Jewish Federation’s Lemksy Endowment Fund provided him with a Teen Israel Experience…
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The Lion Behind the Pin: Melanie Fine Finds Sense of Belonging in Jewish Memphis
Growing up in Jewish Atlanta, Melanie Fine learned about the rewards that come from giving back from her parents, who took their then-teenage daughter along with them when volunteering at organizations like Jewish residential facilities for seniors. She absorbed valuable lessons in philanthropy from things they said and did, always…